Taking someone to court for $$$$ owed

SouthShoreGirl · 12-06-2008, 08:52 AM

I got married in Oct 2007 and still haven't received my wedding albums. We paid all of the $$$ up front (I have the cancelled checks). The woman kept giving us a bunch of excuses of why it was taking so long (death in the family, illness). I spoke to her a couple weeks ago after meeting with her to choose my album photos back in July and she said to call her back in a couple of weeks "because she had been sick". I called back today and the # is disconnected. The website is still up and I sent her a couple emails but I am really concerned now. She is also located in Pennsylvania, we are on Long Island. Any tips? I just want all of my $$$$ back at this point (about $3200.00).

rabidpotatochip · 12-06-2008, 05:19 PM

I had a similar experience with my wedding photographer in 2006. It took well over a year to get the photos.

The biggest thing you need to do is keep a record of all communications. If it does come to a court case, you want to be able to prove that you took every reasonable effort to establish/maintain communication. Keep logs of when you called, who you talked to and what you talked about. Note the time, date, and what was said.

If you're seriously considering taking her to court e-mail her a warning that you require a response within a certain amount of time (i.e. one week) or you'll have to take the issue to court. Not only does this count as you making an effort to resolve things out of court, but it gives her an opportunity to get her butt in gear.

Good luck.

redambrosia · 12-06-2008, 06:57 PM

Did you have a contract with her?

SouthShoreGirl · 12-07-2008, 02:01 AM

Yuppers. I did.

arcadian · 12-09-2008, 10:31 AM

have you tried contacting the bbb or chamber of commerce? i don't have any great advice but i hope this works out. no one should have their happy memories ruined this way.

khorrell · 12-18-2008, 03:11 PM

Good luck - what a lousy thing to have problems with!

SouthShoreGirl · 12-19-2008, 05:07 AM

I've been emailing her back and forth (paper trail) and that's the only way she has really been responsive to me. Swears she's going to get the albums out to me by Xmas so we will see. I plan on taking this all the way otherwise.

12-06-2008, 08:52 AM	#1
SouthShoreGirl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 110 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (13)	Taking someone to court for $$$$ owed I got married in Oct 2007 and still haven't received my wedding albums. We paid all of the $$$ up front (I have the cancelled checks). The woman kept giving us a bunch of excuses of why it was taking so long (death in the family, illness). I spoke to her a couple weeks ago after meeting with her to choose my album photos back in July and she said to call her back in a couple of weeks "because she had been sick". I called back today and the # is disconnected. The website is still up and I sent her a couple emails but I am really concerned now. She is also located in Pennsylvania, we are on Long Island. Any tips? I just want all of my $$$$ back at this point (about $3200.00). __________________ http://longbeachbabe.blogspot.com/

12-07-2008, 02:01 AM	#4
SouthShoreGirl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 110 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (13)	Yuppers. I did. __________________ http://longbeachbabe.blogspot.com/

12-18-2008, 03:11 PM	#6
khorrell Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: near Washington DC Posts: 608 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Reputation: (85)	Good luck - what a lousy thing to have problems with! __________________ The Paycheck Chronicles "helping military families make the most of their paychecks"

12-19-2008, 05:07 AM	#7
SouthShoreGirl Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 110 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (13)	I've been emailing her back and forth (paper trail) and that's the only way she has really been responsive to me. Swears she's going to get the albums out to me by Xmas so we will see. I plan on taking this all the way otherwise. __________________ http://longbeachbabe.blogspot.com/

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12-06-2008, 05:19 PM	#2
rabidpotatochip Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 75 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (33)	I had a similar experience with my wedding photographer in 2006. It took well over a year to get the photos. The biggest thing you need to do is keep a record of all communications. If it does come to a court case, you want to be able to prove that you took every reasonable effort to establish/maintain communication. Keep logs of when you called, who you talked to and what you talked about. Note the time, date, and what was said. If you're seriously considering taking her to court e-mail her a warning that you require a response within a certain amount of time (i.e. one week) or you'll have to take the issue to court. Not only does this count as you making an effort to resolve things out of court, but it gives her an opportunity to get her butt in gear. Good luck.

12-06-2008, 06:57 PM	#3
redambrosia Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Over yonder. Posts: 32 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Reputation: (10)	Did you have a contract with her?

12-09-2008, 10:31 AM	#5
arcadian Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 36 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Reputation: (11)	have you tried contacting the bbb or chamber of commerce? i don't have any great advice but i hope this works out. no one should have their happy memories ruined this way.

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